AARP is Tony Bennett’s newest “duet” partner

For the first time in its history, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the world’s largest membership organization, will sponsor a concert tour.

AARP will present Tony Bennett’s 2007 “The Best Is Yet to Come” concert tour, which will visit 20 U.S. cities, among them Seattle. Tour dates have not been announced.

The 13-time Grammy-winning singer, whose current album, “Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic,” features duets with Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bono, Billy Joel, the Dixie Chicks, k.d. lang, Diana Krall and others, will also headline the 2007 AARP Member Event in September in Boston.

His partnership with AARP, whose membership tops 37 million, will allow members to purchase discounted concert tickets for the tour and take advantage of other promotions.